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He had plans on playing elsewhere but those plans fell apart.
He's now 21 games into his final season as a junior hockey player and while Dauphin may not have been his first-choice destination, he's thrilled that things worked out the way they have. Matthew Haun has become one of the team's top defenders and is enjoying every second of living in the City of Sunshine.
"I think things have been getting better as the season has gone on, I got off to a little bit of a slow start," said Haun. "Recently, I've been getting my confidence up and I feel that I've been playing well."
Haun, who was born in Washington, D.C, comes to the Kings after a solid season with the Rochester Grizzlies of the NA3HL. He had 41 regular-season and two playoff points with them last year. The NA3HL is regarded as a Tier 3 junior league south of the border while the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) is one of the top Junior A leagues in Canada.
The competition is stiff from night to night and as someone who prides himself on hard work and commitment, Haun is enjoying how competitive the league is.
"There is a lot more competition here compared to the NA3HL, you have to bring your A-game every night to have success," offered Haun. "It's a quick and physical game here. It's a great league with a lot of competition, it's exciting to be a part of."
As Dauphin beat their Parkland rival Swan Valley Stampeders on November 16, it was a milestone night for Haun. He scored his first MJHL goal and had one assist in a 5-2 victory.
"That felt great, I've had quite a few opportunities this year, they just haven't been going in for me," continued Haun. "After getting one, my confidence was up and that was very big for me. At the end of the day, very happy to help the team win games, that's what matters."
Matthew takes great pride in his defensive play and has become a shutdown defender for one of the most storied franchises in Canadian Junior A hockey. He is, however, starting to hit his stride offensively with six points in his last five games. He has three multi-point games in that time and four on the season. He's 11th in team scoring with one goal and eight assists while showing an outstanding ability to stay disciplined with just eight penalty minutes.
Heading into a home-and-home with the Virden Oil Capitals, Dauphin is on top of the MGEU West Division. With a record of 16-6-1, Dauphin has been one of the most consistent teams in the league and is just two points behind Steinbach for first place overall.
From October 20 to November 2, Dauphin won five straight games and overall, have points in 10 of their last 12 games. They're coming off an impressive 3-2 win over Portage and will look to keep the good times rolling against a division opponent that is currently chasing them.
"We have a great group this year, everyone is on board. We have a goal of making a deep playoff run and winning a championship," commented Haun. "It's nice showing up every day knowing that we have a great group and everyone is doing what is needed."
You can see Haun in action on Friday when the Virden Oil Capitals come to town. You can also hear Matt's full interview with Darnell Duff during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show after the 4:00 p.m. News, Weather, and Business Report on 730CKDM on Friday afternoon.
Get to Know Haun:
Q: When did you get into hockey?
A: I wasn't big into it when I lived in Washington but when I moved to Minnesota, I started getting into it. That was when I was seven and the game was way bigger, I had to start playing.
During his high school days, Matt also played football and baseball. He had planned to play football and baseball in college but the school that he was going to didn't interest him. He decided to play his first year of junior hockey in his hometown and the rest is history.
"That's one of the best decisions that I have ever made," said Haun. "I believe I was always the most passionate in hockey, I just had more opportunities in the other sports. I was lucky enough to have a chance to play hockey after high school and I just ran with it. It's my favourite sport."
Q: What's your favorite memory on the football field?
A: We were playing a cross-town rival during the last game of my senior year and we were supposed to get hammered but we stuck in there until the last snap. It was too bad that we lost but it was a good game to end my football career.
Q: What about your favourite baseball memory?
A: During my junior year, we beat a team that was favoured twice, so that was awesome as we moved on in the playoffs.
Q: Do you have any siblings and what is your relationship with your parents?
A: I have one older sister who studies at the University of Minnesota and I am very close with my parents. I lived at home for the past two years playing junior hockey. It was tough leaving home but Dauphin has been great, it's like a second home to me.
Q: If you could go on a 2-on-0 breakaway with any teammate this year, who would it be and why?
A: I would say Cayden Glover, he's leading the league in goals and I feel we could do some damage.
Q: What's one of the most enjoyable vacations that you have been on?
A: My dad has family that has a beach house in Delaware and we go down there every summer for a week. It's great family time and my favourite thing to do.
As Haun prepares to play in front of the home crowd at Credit Union Place again on Friday, he wants to tip his cap to the fans.
"We play in an incredible facility and have such a great fanbase," ended Haun. "It's awesome to see the community show up and cheer us on, it's special to be a part of. Thank you, Dauphin."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) have lost out on their bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup.
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) announced on Wednesday that the City of Kelowna, British Columbia, has been chosen to host the 106th edition of the national tournament. Five teams had been in running to host the tournament, the Rockets, Wheat Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Spokane Chiefs.
Each bid was evaluated based on four categories: business operations, local atmosphere/community engagement, event logistics, and hockey operations. The 2026 event will mark the second time that Kelowna has hosted the Memorial Cup after previously hosting it in 2004. Kelowna won the event that year led by Shea Weber and Josh Gorges, and the Rockets edged the Gatineau Olympiques.
This past spring, the City of Kelowna committed to making several upgrades to Prospera Place, home of the Rockets, including the installation of a brand-new scoreboard, improved lighting and sound systems, a dedicated press box, and more to help bolster the experience of fans and visitors travelling to the home arena of the Kelowna Rockets.
The 2025 Memorial Cup will be hosted by the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
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The Parkland Gators recently competed in the Seals Last Chance meet at the Pan Am Pool in Winnipeg.
Roman Polovinka
23rd - 100m freestyle
16th - 50m backstroke
16th - 50m freestyle
10th - 50m breaststroke
15th - 100m breaststroke
28th - 50m fly stroke
Lily Montagnion
17th - 100m freestyle
14th - 50m backstroke
13th - 50m freestyle
8th - 50m breaststroke
16th - 100m breaststroke
13th - 50m fly stroke
Lauren Lesiuk
33rd - 100m freestyle
29th - 50m backstroke
28th - 50m freestyle
16th - 50m breaststroke
21st - 100m breaststroke
28th - 50m fly stroke
Renee Fee
19th - 100m freestyle
15th - 50m backstroke
17th - 50m freestyle
6th - 100m backstroke
7th - 200m backstroke
19th - 50m fly stroke
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Josh Tripp coached the Parkland U-18 Rangers for the first 15 games of the season.
They won their first four games and went 10-5 with Tripp as head coach. Then, an opportunity presented itself to move up to the next level when Barry Wolff and the Stampeders mutually agreed to part ways after a tough start to the season.
While Tripp was committed and ready to continue leading the Rangers, Swan Valley reached out to Josh and asked him if he wanted to become head coach of his hometown team. One thing led to another and on November 7, the Stampeders announced the hiring of Tripp.
It was a short tenure with the Rangers but a beneficial one for Josh and he's honoured to have been given the chance to represent the region's lone AAA team.
"Everything leading up to this is all thanks to the Rangers. They gave me a chance to be the team's head coach and I owe them a lot," said Tripp. "The team is full of great guys who want to improve and represent the crest. I learned how to become a head coach because of the Rangers and for that, I will forever be grateful for the organization."
Tripp was born and raised in Swan River and debuted with the team during the 2015-16 season, playing 55 games and accumulating 47 points. Tripp collected 84 points in 57 regular-season games and 21 in 17 playoff games helping the Stampeders advance to the Turnbull Cup final in 2019. They lost that series in seven games in what was the team's most successful season to date.
After graduating from junior hockey, Josh remained in his hometown and joined Barry Wolff's staff as an assistant coach last season. He also served as an assistant coach for Team Manitoba in the 2024 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
"It feels great to be back with Swan Valley, this is a team I grew up watching and loved my time playing with," said Tripp. "This is a great opportunity that I am very excited about, it feels amazing to be their head coach."
Josh made his debut behind the bench as head coach on November 8, losing 5-3 to Niverville. The team then lost a close 3-2 battle against Portage the following night. Two weeks later, Tripp earned his first win in his seventh game as head coach, the Stampeders were in Winkler to play Jayce Legaarden and the Flyers.
Landen Gulutzan scored the overtime winner as Swan Valley snapped their seven-game losing streak as Josh earned his first win as head coach of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) club.
"That was very special, it's always nice to get that first one out of the way. I knew it was coming soon because we were playing pretty good hockey," said Tripp. "Great to see it happen against such a strong team like the Flyers and now we have to move forward and dig deep to get more."
The Stampeders are at the bottom of the West Division with a record of 3-18-2-1. They're 11 points back of the Virden Oil Capitals for the fourth and final playoff spot. Despite this, Swan Valley does have some elite talent and while they have struggled to win games, this is a much better team than their record indicates. Six of their losses have been by a single goal, and three have been in extra time.
"That's something that we have been talking about in the room with the guys, we have played well enough to win more games than we have," continued Tripp. "Once we find a way to close out games, things will turn around. We have a great group that comes to the rink every day with their work boots on, they want to be here to win games and represent the community."
A bright spot for the team this year has been the play of Landen Gulutzan. He's tied for third in league scoring with 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points. That has him tied with Cayden Glover. The 20-year-old from Calgary has 12 power-play points and one game-winning goal.
"He's a guy that drives the team. He is excellent in the room and he's always making sure every other guy never quits," commented Tripp. "He's an excellent player and a great guy. He leads this team on and off the ice. It's great to see him enjoy success, he deserves it. Doing what he's doing shows his drive."
Another bright spot is the play of Trace Langan. Born and raised in Swan River, Trace recorded eight points in eight games to start the season playing for the U-18 Rangers. He quickly made the jump up to the junior game and has three points this year.
He's just 16 years old, a prospect of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the future is bright for the young star from Swan River.
"His game suits the junior game better than U-18, he plays that hard-nosed game and never shies away from contact despite his age," ended Tripp. "He's always in the mix and is a valued member of this team."
Swan Valley welcomes Steinbach on Friday and Niverville on Sunday.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Six different skaters scored as the good times continued to roll for the Dauphin Clippers hockey team.
Playing their Parkland rival Roblin Raiders on Tuesday, Dauphin locked up two points with a commanding 6-1 win. Kenai Mouck, Ethan Carnegie, Boston Karlson, Noah Hanneson, Ronin Mouck, and Ethan Zalischuk scored for the Clippers in the win.
The Rangers are 8-0-0-1 this season and are in second place, scoring 72 goals and allowing just 21. Their next league game isn't until December 6 when they play in Wawanesa against the Raiders.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Kyle Pelletier was outstanding as he lifted the Parkland U-18 Rangers to a clutch victory.
He made 33 saves as Parkland edged the Central Plains Capitals, 4-3, to snap a three-game losing streak and win their 12th game of the season. Cade Legaarden led the way for the Rangers offensively with one goal and two assists while Quinten Fisk (18), Noah Smigelsky (10), and Dayson Martin (6) also scored for the Rangers.
Parkland (12-6) is in fifth place, three points ahead of the Thrashers with a game in hand and they're just four points back of the Wild for fourth place. A team chasing the Rangers in the standings is the Interlake Lightning and they come to town on Saturday night at 7:30.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
A string of great performances saw the Dauphin Clippers varsity boys' volleyball advance to the final in the zone championships.
They lost that match against Neelin but were presented with another opportunity to qualify for the provincial championships thanks to their success to date. On Tuesday, they made it count. Playing in a wildcard match against Beliveau, the Clippers put together another great performance and qualified for the big dance.
They swept Beliveau, 25-21, 25-23, and 25-22. They will play in the 'AAA' provincial event this weekend at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg. Their pool includes John Taylor, Niverville and Louis-Riel. Game one is Thursday at 10:05 a.m.
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Two local curling teams are heading to the Curling Club Provincial Championships.
On the women's side, Team Heather Bartmanovich won both of their games at the qualifier to earn a provincial championship spot. They scored 11 points and beat team Lach twice.
Heather's team features Lisa Hale, Melissa McQuarrie, and Avery Scott. Kayla Gillis is the team's alternate.
On the men's side, meanwhile, Butch Mouck and his team from Gilbert Plains had a perfect weekend to earn the one spot available to the big dance.
They beat Team Babock, Team Csversko, and Team Forsyth of Dauphin to win the qualifier.
Butch is joined by Dean Bates, Greg Clark, and AJ Zachedniak, Todd Brinkman is the team's alternate.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
They lost just one set the entire tournament and beat their Parkland rivals to win a provincial championship.
The Goose Lake High School Raiders junior varsity boys' volleyball team topped the province at the provincial championships over the weekend. They beat Major Pratt, Elton and Landmark in the round-robin before dispatching Hamiota/Shoal Lake in the quarterfinals and Glenboro in the semi-finals.
The Roblin-based team beat Major Pratt in the provincial final, 23-25, 25-22, and 15-12.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Gilbert Plains Trojans junior varsity girls' volleyball team wrapped up their season with a bronze medal.
Competing in the provincial championships over the weekend, the Trojans swept the Wawanesa Warriors in the third-place match, 25-21, 25-20. The Trojans had a fantastic season and finished third in their pool after narrow losses against Gabrielle-Roy and Warren. They beat Wawanesa.
In the playoffs, they received a first-round bye and dispatched Goose Lake of Roblin before coming up short against Warren. They followed that up with a great performance against the Warriors and came home with bronze medals around their neck.
Taedyn Solski of Gilbert Plains was named a tournament all-star.
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Ethan Carnegie stayed red hot on Sunday as the Dauphin Clippers won their seventh game of the season.
Carnegie, a grade 12 senior from Dauphin, scored the overtime winner as the Clippers downed Minnedosa, 3-2. He also scored one other goal in the victory. Ronin Mouck scored Dauphin's other goal in the win.
The Clippers have won seven of their eight games this season.
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